First post
* key points: BlackBerry in an Android is a significantly different experience of an Android
* What to expect, what NOT to expect, what can be done to squeeze more juice.
work in progress.
Preface:
Hi, i'm hyperyouth_firepower of Lowyat.Net, also known as MechaGodzilla of UTTBLOGS.
This is a series of post designed to assist old, new, veteran and returning users on BlackBerry on Android devices to squeeze as much power as possible from the phone, not in processing power, but in terms of productivity practicality.
The BlackBerry has always been about getting things done in your phone, because a phone is a phone. An entertainment device is an entertainment device. A phone's primary function is to communicate. An interactive device has primary function to make things interactive. Therefore communication can be dull, it can also be exciting. However, the core of the principle, is to facilitate communication effectively.
If you're here, you're probably either to seek redress on how to make your BlackBerry-on-Android device better to suit your needs. After all, in the sea of slabs after slabs and more slabs, BlackBerry devices stand out due to its individuality, even if there are people who ridicule it (which is ironic because Android slabs are all about customizability, and therefore promotes individuality). If you can find an answer / solution here, great. If not, we'll try to help. We, as in everyone, including yourself.
A quick history of BlackBerry-on-Android.
- BlackBerry announces BlackBerry Priv, in a slider form factor in 2015, as their first ever "full Android foray".
- BlackBerry creates an offshoot company, BlackBerryMobile, and partners up with TCL. DTEK 50,60 were announced.
- BlackBerryMobile releases BlackBerry KeyONE, the last known 'designed-in-house' device, but built entirely by TCL.
- BlackBerryMobile releases BlackBerry Motion, the first 'designed by TCL', and built by TCL (not a rebranded phone)
- BlackBerryMobile teases features a new device with physical keyboard, 4.5" screen (that's very similar to BlackBerry KeyONE), with 6GB RAM and features Snapdragon 660.
A quick recap of what is BlackBerry-on-Android experience.
1. Android is Android, the OS that is fully developed by Google. At the time of writing, Android 8.x (OREO) with Project Treble is underway, and this update, should all phone OEMs comply, will drastically alter the way Google interacts with its partners (including BlackBerry) on how they interact with each another.
2. BlackBerry is a company that prides itself in making 'secure' devices, with their experiences in BBOS, BlacKBerry 10 and even an attempt to fork Google Android ala Amazon Kindle Fire. Their latest effort is now entirely on promoting a secure, hardened edition of Android that is more resilient and resistant towards unwanted security breaches. The definition of 'security' includes rooting, unlocking the bootloader, and gaining access at kernel / administrative level in ways that are not designed to be.
Sample questions.
Question: Is a BlackBerry device meant for me?
Answer: That's not what we're going to do here. Your mileage and expectations would be different. A hardcore burnt out BlackBerry fan can be the most vicious person you'll ever meet talking about BlackBerry (the company, the device, the service, everything). What we do here, is gather what can be done to squeeze more juice out of your BlackBerry.
Question: I can't change the wallpaper (or insert anything)
Answer: That's what we'll talk about, in this thread.
Question: Does the new BlackBerry on Android runs on BIS subscriptions, or must it run on BES?
Answer: No, and no. Just buy a BlackBerry, plug in your SIM card, and voila. It just works.
This post has been edited by hyperyouth_firepower: Nov 27 2017, 11:23 AM
BlackBerry-on-Android, squeeze all the juice!, An attempt of "all-in-one-thread"